What Was I Thinking?https://sarahcovey.wordpress.com
reflections - raves - ramblings - rantsSun, 18 Feb 2018 06:27:51 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/https://s2.wp.com/i/buttonw-com.pngWhat Was I Thinking?https://sarahcovey.wordpress.com
Lessons from the Lakehttps://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/2015/09/05/lessons-from-the-lake/
https://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/2015/09/05/lessons-from-the-lake/#respondSat, 05 Sep 2015 21:01:19 +0000http://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/?p=535Continue reading Lessons from the Lake]]>As we wrap up another summer of freckles, sandy toes, and ice cream cones what wisdom can we take with us from our lazy days of reflection by the lake? Here are a few lessons that we learned (or remembered) this year at the cottage:

Less is more. If we can fit 6 people and all that we need to live for 3 weeks into a mini van we must have too much stuff at home. All the fussing about with our wardrobes and our decorations and our kitchen gadgets and, yes, even our bookshelves can be a distraction from the things that matter most (which are actually not things at all). Living simply allows us to be fully being present in the moments of our lives. Consider the true cost of the stuff you bring into your homes in terms of the time and energy it will sap from other worthy endeavours.

Water IS therapeutic. It turns out that the inner calm you derive from the sound of crashing waves on the shoreline physiologically and psychologically relieves your stress. We are more at rest when water surrounds us with its healing powers. Water also reminds us of the living water that is promised through Christ in Scripture and this elemental connection is no coincidence. As Canadians, we are blessed with beautiful waterscape that we shouldn’t take for granted as we cultivate #bluemind.

You are doing too much laundry. Although this may also be a positive byproduct of the limited options of a simple wardrobe (see #1), we manage to do very little laundry with limited cottage facilities and somehow we still have clean clothes. I don’t know about your kids but mine have thought on occasion that cleaning up their room meant putting every article of clothing that was on the floor into the laundry basket. In response to this sweeping and unnecessary overload of the laundry basket we instituted a new rule: unless something is stinky or stained it can be worn again. (Underwear and socks are, of course, always laundered – without inspecting stink or stains!) At the cottage, this rule is diligently followed; at home, it is a work-in-progress.

Wasting time is not a waste of time. My daughter recently purchased a shirt that reads, “I waste my time wisely” – isn’t that a great slogan? An extended sabbatical is a wonderful respite from the daily grind but we can’t always wait for a vacation to take a rest. Coming home to a Sabbath-rhythm is essential. Just be sure to waste your time wisely by filling it with the things that rejuvenate your soul.

Boredom fuels creativity. When my kids use the b-word I remind them that I am not their entertainment director and that boredom is a gift for their imaginations. I can’t remember the last time I was truly bored but I long for boredom because it is in those moments where we pause to be still that we open ourselves up to new burst of creativity. At the cottage, songs were composed and stories were written as the kids mined the beauty from the boredom. Just today my “bored” kids decided to set up a comic book studio, assigning appropriate roles to all siblings based on age and natural talent. I would not have come up with that idea as entertainment director, I assure you, and if I had rushed in with another suggestion, they would have missed out. And this is not just about children; each of us needs a chance to be bored in order to fuel our creative genius.

Art is imitation. When an artist attempts to capture the beauty of a landscape s/he is first inspired by the Creator’s canvas. Even the photos I took at the lake did not begin to capture the grandeur of the vibrant double rainbow or the vast starry sky – the scenes that took my breath away. Beauty and wonder surround us, no matter where we are. Look for it. Revel in it. And let even the most creative imitations remind you of the original artist.

Even rainy days are full of joy. The sound of rain on the rooftop or droplets dripping from heavy-laden leaves are further examples of #bluemind. But beyond that, on rainy days, or snow days, or any other days that the weather drives us indoors we have a valid excuse to stay in, to stay put, and to readjust our agendas. These days permit freedom from the pressure to “get out there” and provide opportunities to “get in there”. Instead of seeing inclement weather as a spoiler of great plans, choose to see it as an unexpected opportunity for a different kind of day, one that can be full of the joys of reading and reflection.

There is a song in the stillness. There is so much noise around and within us every day that we can’t enter into the quiet with much ease at all. On those rare occasions that we manage to hush the noise we’ll find that there are still sounds in the silence. A bird’s song, rustling grasses, and lapping waves -natural music that is muted by the usual cacophony – are rediscovered when our ears are tuned in. Life is so much richer when we rediscover the still small voice in the wind and can finally hear it again.

A different view offers a different perspective. When we take ourselves away from the things that we typically look at we begin to see our circumstances in a new light. There is something real and honest in our need to get away to regain perspective; a different visual space will promote a different mental space. Frequent breaks from our usual surroundings will freshen our outlook and help us to see things anew.

Families who play together stay together. My favourite moment in our entire vacation was the spontaneous outburst of the Covey a cappella rendition of Celebration – complete with back-up vocals and multiple harmonies. Though our Dutch Blitz game was temporarily interrupted by this flash mob, a fun-loving spirit that we had been searching to reclaim was revived by its energy. The fam jam on the porch overlooking the lake fostered the same closeness; banjos, guitars, vocals and a stack of chord sheets will set the stage for memories that last a lifetime. Play – games, music, sports – together and you’ll strengthen the ties that bind.

Rent is not a four-letter word. Too often we (in North American Society) see rental options as “throwing our money away”. We choose to rent our cottage and many people have questioned us in this decision; yet, it makes all the sense in the world to us. It functions like an all-expenses-paid family vacation: we budget a set amount and show up to relax and enjoy it. When you own a property you cannot get away from the obligations to furnish, maintain and fix. We go away to get away from all those obligations at home. Why would we want to double our to-do list at a time in our lives when keeping one lawn cut is a challenge? Rental options can provide a wonderful level of freedom that ownership does not. Besides, even the things we think we own are only borrowed for a time; they’ll all go back in the box.

Second breakfast is as important as first breakfast. Experts have always encouraged us to eat a healthy breakfast to start your day properly. But we really don’t hear enough about second breakfast. At the cottage, the day really doesn’t start with much activity until after second breakfast and this seems like a habit worth bringing home. Another expert on living well, J.R.R. Tolkien, put it this way: “If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”

How did your adventures teach you about life this summer? What did you learn (or remember) that you want to apply at home?

]]>https://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/2015/09/05/lessons-from-the-lake/feed/0sarahcovey#40×40 Manifestohttps://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/2015/03/01/40x40-manifesto/
https://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/2015/03/01/40x40-manifesto/#respondSun, 01 Mar 2015 20:18:27 +0000http://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/?p=472Continue reading #40×40 Manifesto]]>Last year, I spent most of my – precious little – reflection time working on a Sanity Manifesto to identify key aspects of my life that need attention and focus. (I recently used Wordle.net to create a lovely visual collage of it. Incidently, if anyone knows how to get a downloadable digital copy of these lovely word clouds, please share your wisdom in the comments below. Suggestions for other fun apps or websites that will create such things are also most welcome.)

As part of my #40×40 project, I’m adding 10 more statements of intention to the 30 I previously crafted to create my #40×40 Manifesto. Here are the next 9 to bring me to a grand total of 39.

I’m saving #40 to see how the Spirit moves in the next year.

1. No guilt in life no fear in death. The truth is, I live under the weight of false guilt and irrational fear far too much of the time. I’m learning that God has a different plan for how I ought to live as His beloved child: forgiven and free of fear. This is the power of Christ in me.

2. For such a time as this. This is Queen Esther’s version of “bloom where you are planted”. Sometimes I forget that the positions and roles I have are at the centre of divinely ordained spheres of influence. Sometimes – though God doesn’t need me to accomplish His purposes – He gives me the privilege of bringing His voice into the conversation and the opportunity to be a part of his Divine Conspiracy.

3. Take it off the table. I have been exploring the importance of abstinence disciplines (fasting, solitude, silence, simplicity, frugality) as they are often neglected in the Christian life. For the sake of growth and margin, I am learning that it is liberating to take things off the table, to abstain from certain things – even if it is just for a time – to jolt me from my complacency. For example, for Lent this year, I am fasting from bread and wine and, recently, I have been contemplating what I can do – or NOT do – to break the hold that consumerism has on me. More on that in subsequent posts, I suspect.

4. Opt out to buy in. I’m learning that releasing some things I am holding onto too tightly will allow me to open my arms again to embrace the things that really matter. Instead of being worried about missing out, I’m opting out of lesser things to buy into joy. #jomo

5. There are no perfect decisions. Lisa Terkeurst’s, The Best Yes, has offered some timely wisdom in my life of analysis paralysis and people-pleasing. I am learning to make “wise decisions in the midst of endless demands”, as her subtitle encourages. I’m learning that sometimes I just need to choose and not be worried about it being the perfect choice because “not making a decision is actually a decision. It is the decision to stay the same.”

6. Live like an overcomer. I often live defeated, as if I have no choice about my behaviour. I don’t feel much like a new creation. However, when I succumb to this temptation, I am believing a lie. We have been promised that old things have passed away and that the power of the Holy Spirit is within us to give us hope. So I do NOT need to live as a slave to my weaknesses, I’m more than a conqueror. Lord, give me strength to live the overcomer life.

7. Work the slight edge. I believe I have dangerously underestimated the impact of small steps in the wrong direction. Though it may seem like those little choices don’t add up in the short-term, in the long-term small increments add up to large outcomes in the direction of your choices. As my friend Bob Wiley would say, “if you’re baby-stepping, you’re doing the work!” The slight edge offers encouragement to those of us who might be afraid we are incapable of making big changes because the big decisions seem overwhelming.

8. Be thrifty. There are many good reasons to shop at second-hand or consignment stores, not the least of which involve the stewardship of environmental and financial resources and the lessening of one’s slavery footprint. (I am saddened by the estimate of how many slaves work to support my lifestyle and I want this to change. Determine your own footprint by answering the survey here.) Most of my house is furnished and decorated with free or thrifted hand-me-downs (or salvaged items on their way to the dump). With very few exceptions, my living room is decorated with someone else’s cast off items and I find it quite warm and inviting, don’t you? The truth is, I don’t have to spend what I often think I have to spend and I want to remember that new is overrated.

9. 65, stay alive. At Queen’s, we had this slogan to remind us to keep our priorities in check and not let school work steal our lives away; as long as we maintained a 65% average, we could stay in our programs and on track, academically. Giving 110% is basic over-spending in the energy department and it is not a sustainable plan if I want my relationships to have priority. Andy Stanley’s small but mighty book, Choosing to Cheat: Who Wins When Family and Work Collide?, offers important wisdom to those of us who need to learn to cheat properly. Work is not the place to spend myself. 65% is reasonable. 65% is good. 65% is enough.

So, those are the updates as I head into my 40th year.

Can you relate? Any suggestions for my 40th intention? What are some of the statements that you would include on your manifesto?

]]>https://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/2015/03/01/40x40-manifesto/feed/0sarahcovey#40×40https://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/2015/02/28/40x40/
https://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/2015/02/28/40x40/#commentsSat, 28 Feb 2015 17:00:43 +0000http://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/?p=457Continue reading #40×40]]>On March 1, 1976, Kiss released their single Shout it out Loud while The Four Seasons topped the billboard charts with their catchy tune, What a Night. Coincidence? I think not. Clearly both hits were proclaiming my arrival to the planet.

Readers, this bit of trivia means that I turn 39 and enter my 40th year of this blessed life, tomorrow. I realize that this shocking news to most of you since I don’t look a day over 38 but, it’s true: the big 4-0 is only 12 short months away.

In order to approach this milestone birthday with the right a better frame of mind, I’m deciding to go with “personal project” rather than “pity party”. I think that embracing this looming date as the impetus for some needed changes sets a tone of anticipation rather than dread. I’m preparing to enter the second half of my life with increased strength, clarity and focus and am setting some goals to help move me in that direction. (As an aside, for inspiration about living #clearbraveandstrong follow Cathie’s blog here.)

My #40×40 goals:

1. #Publish40: Publish 40 blog posts by my 40th birthday. I find that I begin many posts and then get distracted and never quite get around to hitting that daunting “publish” button. This is my year to go public and form a better habit for my writing by floating at least 40 ideas into cyberspace.

2. #Lose40: Lose 40 pounds by my 40th birthday. I have always struggled with over-indulgence and have written about it before. I have set goals and failed (207 is still a sad reality) but I’m choosing to set a new goal and not give up. Hitting 40 as a healthier and stronger person is a POSSIBLE and hopeful prospect.

3. #Thank40: Offer specific and personal thanks to 40 people by my 40th birthday. There are certainly more than 40, but I feel the need to acknowledge at least 40 who have significantly impacted me on my journey so far with a sincere word or token of appreciation.

4. #Read40: Identify the titles on my Essential 40 Bookshelf by my 40th birthday. I have read many books – far more than 40 – but reflecting and narrowing the list down to the 40 that have changed me profoundly over my lifetime is an inspiring endeavour for a book nerd like me.

5. #Live40: Add 10 points to my 30 for Sanity Manifesto to create my #40×40 Manifesto. I have realized the motivational power of setting a vision for my life and I want to continue to live according to my 40 intentions. Because, as Annie Dillard explains, “how we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”

So, there you have it, folks: 5 goals to motivate me in my 40th year.

Do I have any teammates for this #40×40 plan? Cheerleaders?

Comment below with your advice or experience related to turning 40. How did/will you approach this milestone birthday?

Just for fun, a few trivia highlights from 1976: Apple Computer was formed by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, Happy Days was the most popular TV show, Rocky took home the Oscar for best film, and the Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup.

]]>https://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/2015/02/28/40x40/feed/1sarahcovey30 for Sanity Manifestohttps://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/2014/08/08/30-for-sanity-manifesto/
https://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/2014/08/08/30-for-sanity-manifesto/#commentsFri, 08 Aug 2014 18:12:23 +0000http://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/?p=434Continue reading 30 for Sanity Manifesto]]>I recently challenged my “moms monthly” group to develop a personal manifesto to capture their intentions for living, particularly because, as moms, it is so easy to lose sight of our hopes and dreams amidst the chaos of a busy life that struggles to find work-life balance. I have used manifestos in a variety of ways as a classroom teacher (and often do workshops in my classes to help in the creative process) but I rarely take the time to reflect and package my own thoughts in this way, though I believe very strongly in their value. Having a visible reminder in your home that summarizes your thoughts about how you wish to live can help to orient you to carry out your intentions in day-to-day living.

Although my blog version does not look like the lovely side panel of a Lululemon bag, AnnVoskamp’s 25 for Sanity Manifesto is the inspiration for my decision to revisit this concept. That woman is so wise and, well, inspirational!

Perhaps, I can get some sort of creative designer to make my manifesto look like this:

but, until then, we’ll all have to settle for this lesser words-only version:

My 30 for Sanity Manifesto (in no particular order):

Fashion a home sanctuary. I’m not the greatest at caring about physical spaces as I live mostly in my head (scary, I know); however, space does impact well-being and I have come to understand that an organized, simplified and tidy home can help to bring calm to the mind. The peace may be an illusion but external chaos certainly doesn’t help internal chaos. Keeping my space clear helps to clear my head space. #WWAVD? (What would Ann Voskamp do?)

The interruption is the opportunity. I’m notoriously bad for becoming irritated by interruptions to my best laid plans. Choosing to see the change of plan as a divine appointment is something I am mindfully working on at work and home.

Take it bird by bird. Anne Lamott’s brilliant book reminds writers – and all people, really – to take life in manageable steps. Whenever I begin to muse about anything beyond the next step I instantly feel overwhelmed. Wisdom: Do the next right thing. Repeat.

Embrace freedom. Though I am ashamed to admit it, many of my choices and decisions are a result of fear. It seriously needs to stop as it is a defeated and deflated way of living. Daily, I’m going to claim the promise that perfect Love drives out all fear.

Share. When our family accepted a sermon challenge to develop a “family mission statement” we agreed on this simple but meaningful word. We are committed to share all that we have been given – hospitality, resources, insight – because that is what it means to be a Covey.

Let it go. (Don’t worry this is NOT an allusion to Frozen; please stay with me.) “Hello, my name is Sarah Covey and I am a control-freak and a security junkie.” If I could join a 12-step program to recover from either of these addictions, I would. Because it would provide a PLAN. I’m obsessed with plans. Have you ever noticed, though, that plans often change? I need to let go of my compulsion to have everything fall into place as I had orchestrated or expected and hold my plans loosely. Letting my agenda go for the sake of something better seems much more fulfilling. See #2.

Give presence as a present. I am easily distracted and struggle to focus on one thing at a time but I have learned that multitasking sabotages relationships by undermining the authentic connection that can come from active listening and attentiveness in the moment. This undivided attention may be one of the best gifts I can offer my loved ones.

Pray first, think later. I tend to make my requests known to every other person in my life before praying. Better to pause and start with the Big Guy so that my thoughts are formed in the context of spiritual strength and wisdom instead of human weakness and stupidity.

Book daily stillness appointments. For some time, I have been committed to Sabbath-keeping but it is not enough to only rest once a week if every other day is a flurry of activity. There have to be moments in each day where I can pause, be quiet, and catch my breath. Thinking a gentle reminder on my cell phone for some adaptation of the Seven Sacred Pauses is going to help promote this daily discipline.

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. This classic hymn lyric has been a daily mantra, reminding me to trust in the One whose joy IS my strength.

Nourish with the right bread. I’m a stress eater and I need to be a stress reader. I desire to be the person who goes to the Word to be nourished by the Bread of Life instead of trying – always unsuccessfully – to satisfy my hunger with Lays Potato Chips.

Seek ways to touch a soul through the touch of a hand. When you don’t know what to say or do, resort to snuggle therapy. Physical touch has healing power. I know this to be true. Sometimes a loving touch can transcend words and render them unnecessary.

Let nature nurture. Being surrounded my nature instantly calms my anxious heart and allows me to return to a life-giving rhythm. A long walk on the beach, a quiet moment on a park bench, or a cup of tea beside a glassy lake does restore my soul.

Play music. Making a joyful noise helps to lift my spirits and channel my emotions. Listening to music can set – or change – the tone of a room with very little effort. Impromptu dance parties are always a good idea – and they tend to work better with a soundtrack.

Cultivate creativity. Find ways to express myself creatively – through music, art, crafts, writing, decorating etc. I really think that” it is not how creative I am but how I am creative” (to adapt a common phrase), given that I am a child of the Creator. I need to make space for that aspect of God’s image in my life.

Match time and energy to priorities. I’m pretty adept at managing my time but I’m not so great at managing my energy. I need to pace myself so that I retain some of my get-up-and-go for my family. Though they are my priority, they tend to have their time with me at the end of a long work day when I am depleted and weary. Saving some energy and/or sharing high-energy times with them when I can is a way to communicate how important they are to me.

Moisturizing matters. This may seem like a rather trivial intention but I am the worst person for letting my very sensitive skin become parched. A little ritual of moisturizing with a rich cream is a mini-luxury that I really can’t afford to forgo. Baby steps, though. My facial care regimen needs a total overhaul but that is an adventure I’m not ready to face (pun intended).

Let restlessness give way to rest. When I find myself striving and itching to do, sometimes the best thing is to stop and release the struggle and the full mind to the rest of God. This can be extremely liberating for my Type-A compulsive tendencies. Slowly, I am learning to let go of the need to accomplish something and to embrace the art of being. Unplugging from the noise in my mind and in the world can be a soul-enriching experience, right?

Consider the value. It is not uncommon for me to spend money without thinking and this poor stewardship is disheartening. If I simply pause to consider whether a particular purchase is truly worth it I would avoid a lot of impulsive spending in the name of retail therapy.

Let words and The Word sink into the soul. Clearly, I am a lover of language but, like many things in life, less is often more. Rather than skimming words, I want to savour them, to let them sink deep into my soul and change me. I want the words to become a part of who I am.

Leave work at work. I have been able to set better boundaries over the years in terms of physically carrying work home but I’m always in a battle for my head space. Choosing to disengage from my professional life and to reengage with my personal life is essential to the healthy balance I am trying to achieve.

Choose gratitude to frame the day. It is easy to recall my day in light of complaints and problems but I’m convinced that the antidote is noticing the good and giving thanks. This orientation to daily blessings diffuses the power that a negative outlook can have over our souls. (Again, it’s what Ann Voskamp would do!)

Speak and spread kindness. Actions can speak louder than words but what I say matters, too. Random acts and words of kindness can go a long way in a world that can be cruel and inconsiderate. I try to model kindness because it is possibly the most important character trait that I wish my kids to emulate.

Always kiss each othergoodnight. This saying is on a plaque in my bedroom and it reminds me to make my marriage a priority. I am blessed to have each day end in the arms of my best friend and I never want to take that love for granted.

Make best intentions a reality. I have these little instincts and inklings that I can’t explain that compel me to be in touch with a friend or to reach out to someone in need in some way. I have never regretted following through with those promptings but I have felt that ignoring or putting off responding to that inner voice has resulted in a missed opportunity to make a significant difference in someone’s day. I resolve to put my love into action.

Meet perceived needs. All of us are needy but we may not be aware of deeper soul-needs because we are blocked by the tangible needs in our lives. Someone may ultimately need a restored relationship with Jesus but s/he may only be able to see the need to resolve conflict in a personal relationship. If I can help meet the need on the radar of the person in my sphere of influence, meeting that need will provide the opportunity to continue to speak about deeper truths. Like the saying (attributed to St. Francis of Assisi) goes, “preach the gospel and, if necessary, use words”.

Seek first to understand, then to be understood. Another clever Covey suggested that this is one of the habits of highly successful people. I think about it in these terms: when you enter a room do your words and actions communicate, “here I am” or “there you are”? I want to be a “there you are” person who considers others first.

Eat less, move more. My first formal manifesto was created as a result of my intention to live a healthier life. The specifics are here and they still hold true. This expression makes it feel manageable though, so I cling to it’s simplicity.

Eat a frog before breakfast. This principle has been popularized in the business world but is solid advice for managing daily tasks and avoiding procrastination: get the thing that you are most dreading out of the way first thing and your day can only get better!

Blog it. Maybe I won’t always want to post my entries for the masses but processing my joys and challenges “on paper” is cathartic, creative, and clarifying. Reflecting and writing is time well spent.

So, what intentions might make your top thirty? Have you ever considered creating a manifesto? If so, what prevents you from following through? Leave your comments below – I love to hear from you!

]]>https://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/2014/08/08/30-for-sanity-manifesto/feed/1sarahcoveyposter_E_red_march12Can I be enough?https://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/2013/09/23/can-i-be-enough/
https://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/2013/09/23/can-i-be-enough/#respondTue, 24 Sep 2013 00:26:15 +0000http://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/?p=427Continue reading Can I be enough?]]>I’ve been struggling lately with a bit of a spiritual funk. I feel as though I am weary from all the striving and trying to live up to unrealistic expectations (most of which are self-imposed). The demands, or at least perceived demands, on the average person these days is enough to put anyone over the edge. We are overworked and over-scheduled and we live overwhelmed and overdone. It’s a vicious cycle that people cannot thrive in so they settle for survival. But I don’t just want to survive. Do you?

It seems like just trying to live day-to-day has become a challenge tantamount to climbing Mount Everest. If that is the case, I’d rather actually climb Everest and have something to show for all the effort rather than the lack of satisfaction that comes from a mundane, sleepwalking existence that may, in fact, be equally draining.

When everybody wants a piece of me, I am pulled in so many directions that I often feel there isn’t enough to go around. This living fragmented is tough. Really, it’s broken. It’s certainly not the way to wholeness.

I’m trying to get back to the basics, to weed through all the extra stuff and make sure that my focus is where it ought to be. I know it is distracted and distorted and I want to get back on track but I feel like the usual paths are not getting me there. Sometimes even the doing of the right things just adds more to a to-do list that is already a mile long. The things that I have done in the past to reconnect are not working.

Perhaps the secret is to stop doing. To become undone, so to speak.

Jan Johnson, in her excellent book, Abundant Simplicity, writes of the abstinence disciplines such as fasting, solitude, silence, and simplicity as “breathing out”. The modern church seems to be focused on all the engagement disciplines (study, prayer, worship, fellowship and service) which are the “breathing in” and has, by in large, excluded the rest.

The trouble is you need both to have a complete breath. The constant inhale will not work. Much has to be exhaled to keep things in balance. This is wisdom that we are largely missing as Christians in the North American Church, if my experience is any indicator.

I need this undoing. I need fewer pieces and more peace. I need to breathe fully the breath of God and experience that divine restoration because the expectations I have for myself will never be satisfied and I will continue to deplete without His strength.

Johnson also quotes Paula Hudson on the subject of living with a singular focus: “interior chaos subsides; the psychic battlefield goes calm and silent. People can experience themselves as whole and at peace instead of fragmented.” SO. WANT. THAT. A holy fixation that realizes that I’m not enough but He is and that is okay. That is enough.

]]>https://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/2013/09/23/can-i-be-enough/feed/0sarahcovey5 Simple Ways to Love your Kidshttps://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/2013/09/04/5-simple-ways/
https://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/2013/09/04/5-simple-ways/#respondWed, 04 Sep 2013 23:23:58 +0000http://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/?p=405Continue reading 5 Simple Ways to Love your Kids]]>A little bit of thoughtfulness can go a long way. I have made it part of my personal mission statement to act on those divinely-inspired impulses as they come to mind – right in that moment – if I am able. Otherwise, the moment passes, and the opportunity is lost to forgetfulness.

But…I tend to be better at practically sharing the love with friends and neighbours than I am with my own crew. This school year I’m determined to be more responsive to the day-to-day opportunities that arise but I also think it is important to add some intentionality to my plan.

As far as my kids go, I recognize that I can have all the best intentions in the world but unless I make a commitment to actually put those ideas into action, they just bounce around in my brain and leave me feeling like a neglectful parent. Don’t ya just love false guilt?

I have also learned (from experience) that parenting goals need to be simple and realistic. It is easy to get overwhelmed trying to live up to the impossible expectations that I have set for myself. So, in an attempt to be deliberate AND reasonable I am narrowing my focus.

I am working on a parenting manifesto but since it is in process, I decided to at least get rolling with a few accessible goals. (For a beautiful and inspiring example of a parenting manifesto – and a multitude of other glorious things – click here.)

As we embark on another busy school year, I’ve designed a little experiment to connect intentionally with my kids and I’m using the 5 Love Languages as a guideline.

With four kids, we have determined that all the Love Languages are identified in several combinations so I’m trying to cover all the bases in equal measure. We have other routine things in place (like shared journals, gratitude books, and a prayer wall, and highs/lows at dinner) but I need a few new ideas to keep me motivated and connected to my crew.

So, here’s the plan to fill up those love tanks:

1. Words of Affirmation: Little Love Notes

I’m going to make a special point of writing down the wonderful things that I am noticing in my kids. Handwritten notes of encouragement are a great way to celebrate growth in character or to communicate support or caring.

A classic spot for these little love notes is in their lunches. I have found that Super Sticky Post-Its are fantastic but I am also a big fan of the new Rice Krispies prepackaged treats that have a label built into the wrapper. Keeping some blank pages of printable address labels handy might work as a quick way to stick a quick message onto a granola bar.

We also have an “inbox” (a hanging wall file) for each person in our family. These are organizationally functional spots for important school papers and artwork but I hope to also claim them as a little in-house mail system. I can also leave a Post-It note on the back of their bedroom doors, on the bathroom mirror, or on their headboards for them to see first thing in the morning.

2. Physical Touch: Snuggle Therapy
Physical contact is so important. I wrote about the importance of Snuggle Therapy in a previous post and firmly believe in its power to dissipate tension and work through particularly emotional days. But snuggles can come in many forms:

sharing a story

praying together wrapped in a prayer shawl

holding tight when tears are inevitable (theirs or mine)

slow-dancing to a quiet song

alternating foot rubs

bedtime cuddles

Basically, I’m consciously choosing to linger in those opportunities for physical touch because even a few moments in a warm embrace goes a long way, doesn’t it?

3. Quality Time: Sunday Morning Breakfast Dates

With four children and both parents working full-time, it is hard to get that one-on-one connection as often as you (or your middle child) might like. My husband and I both decided that we had to reclaim a time in our schedule that was rarely disrupted and make a commitment to create a rotation to go on mini-dates with each of our children.

Sunday morning seemed to offer the golden opportunity; while both parents were around to trade-off babysitting we could also go out inexpensively for some quality time with each child. We often add a little walk to a coffee and muffin date to extend the opportunity for conversation (and to add a little activity into our weeks). Each kid gets a date with Mommy or Daddy every four weeks. 4. Acts of Service: Chore-Free Gestures

Every so often, I’m going to try to take something off their to-do lists. We have very specific age-appropriate daily and weekly chores for all members of our family – it’s the only way we survive in our busy household!

Because this is my primary love language, I understand the impact of someone taking something off of my endless list so I’m going to try to do the same for them. I’m going to target times when it would be particularly helpful like after a tough or tiring day at school or when they have extra homework or an extracurricular commitment.

I also want to surprise them, on occasion, with a clean room (although, admittedly, this may be motivated more by impatience than any feelings of love).

I may write out a little “get out of a chore free” coupon to give them a choice once in a while about how and when they want to cash it in.5.Receiving Gifts: A Token Trunk

I already have a “gift cupboard” where I house lots of little gifts for a variety of occasions (hostess gifts, kids birthday party gifts, encouragement tokens and the like). I’ve decided that I need a separate bin of little treats, toys, craft supplies, and wrapping to pull out just because.

I’m generally quite skeptical about the dollar-store-loot-bag kind of treats that break before the end of the first day but I don’t want to spend a fortune so I’ll have to get in the habit of grabbing some bargains when I see them and tucking them away. I’ll look for sets of things that I can split up like 4-packs of PlayDoh or Crayola Stampers Markers.

I’ll look for ways to surprise them with a little token. Maybe I’ll leave one in a coat pocket. I could hide something under a pillow. (Who says the Tooth Fairy gets to monopolize that location?) I can place a little gift in a backpack to be found later. I could get a few and set them our on their breakfast or dinner plates.

Of course, free or homemade gifts (like home-baked cookies, a new playlist, a craft or a photo) can be wonderful and personal options as well.

Another part of the experiment is to carefully observe how my kids react to each of the love gestures. I have my suspicions about their primary love languages but this should help me to examine my hypotheses.

I am curious, though; do you have any plans or practices for showing love to your kids in the everyday busyness of life? If so, would you share them with me?

Here are 36 reasons that I love Jason, in honour of his 36th birthday:

1. He looks like James Bond when he wears a suit.

2. He laughs at all my jokes but he never at me.

3. He is steadfast and level-headed.

4. He takes his time and will not be rushed.

5. He offers the single most memorable line in an evening full of conversation.

6. He listens and remembers.

7. He doesn’t succumb to the unrealistic expectations and idiotic opinions of others.

8. He looks at me and he sees me.

9. He is a respectful and respected professional that does his work with excellence.

10. He opens our home to any number of vagabonds, including, but not limited to, former students, moms groups, and close family.

11. He sees all his flaws as a place to start rather than a depressing end.

12. He reads classic fiction – for fun – and he reads to our children.

13. He tracks the paperwork and finances for our household on an Excel spreadsheet because I asked him to. God bless him.

14. He trouble-shoots technology problems and is patient enough to persevere until he finds a solution.

15. He is an amazing athlete, playing all sports with ease (an ability I envy because I do not possess it).

16. He helps around the house with menial chores like garbage, dishes, and laundry.

17. He commutes every day so I don’t have to.

18. He respects my profession.

19. He tells me to relax, to sit awhile, and to let the rest of the “to-do” list go.

20. He snuggled and continues to snuggle our babies.

21. He gets his hair cut with a proper stylist.

22. He cares about how he presents himself to the world: with style and integrity.

23. He will pick up diapers and feminine products on his way home from work without complaining.

24. He keeps my bed warm every night.

25. He strives to understand and meet my needs.

26. He champions me in my secret ambitions.

27. He listens to my lengthy and repetitive rants about delinquent teenagers at work, frustrating kids at home, and my mother.

28. He cherishes his heritage and seeks to honour it in our home.

29. He makes time for frequent dates and plans mini-break weekends.

30. He draws me a bath, rubs my feet, and/or pours me a cup of tea (or a glass of wine) when I am weary.

31. He trusts and values my opinion as an equal partner.

32. He DJs and participates fully in our Living Room Dance Parties.

33. He reads his Bible daily with his morning cup of coffee.

34. He will watch episodes of Gilmore Girls, Downton Abbey, and Parenthood.

35. He tolerates my fits of hysteria that often end in tears or uncontrollable laughter.

36. He is fiercely loyal and committed to his family.

And…he reads my blog!

Happy Birthday, honey! I hope you feel loved today and every day.

]]>https://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/2013/08/30/covey-jason-covey-a-birthday-tribute-to-my-man/feed/4sarahcoveyA Bit Loonyhttps://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/2013/08/29/a-bit-loony/
https://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/2013/08/29/a-bit-loony/#respondFri, 30 Aug 2013 00:48:19 +0000http://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/?p=328Continue reading A Bit Loony]]>At the cottage this year, my husband and I spent some wonderful evenings enjoying the view of Charleston Lake and, as usual, this quiet time surrounded by God’s Green Earth had us thinking about the pace of our day-to-day lives.

Like Annie Dillard, tinkering at her creek, I often find that the time I spend in nature is spiritually charged. It compels me to reflect on and examine my life and to learn from the wisdom embedded in creation. This particular vacation, my attention was drawn to the flight patterns of two birds.

Have you ever observed the distinct contrast between a loon’s frantic flapping and a hawk’s majestic soaring? Sure, they both make it to their chosen destination but watching them get there reveals a significant difference; the loon looks like she is barely surviving while the hawk makes it look easy. Truly, loons are not very graceful when they fly. They exert so much energy and appear to be fighting against the wind and the gravitational pull whenever they are airborne. It seems they should take some advice from Dory and “just keep swimming” because they’ve got that mode of travel mastered. Just take your time, loons. Stop trying so hard. Align your flight with the power of the wind.

Oh. Right.

So, I’m a bit loony. Shocking revelation, I know. Friends, I am fighting every fiber of my being as a Type A, driven, task-oriented individual and am resigning myself to the fact that this pace is not a healthy or inspiring way to travel. Actually, it’s a little crazy.

I often succumb to the frenetic pace of our society because I feel the need to get somewhere or to accomplish something according to an arbitrary timeline that I have established for myself, generally based on unrealistic expectations and external pressures. I rarely orient my life to a rhythm that breathes. Hence, the frantic flapping and the trying too hard. And the grace-less flight.

But, I am weary from all the flapping and I’m baby-stepping my way into the hawk program.

The late Dallas Willard offered the wise instruction to “ruthlessly eliminate hurry from our lives”. I must do this. I know it to be true. But it is SO HARD.

So, where is the hope for me in all this loon-acy? How can I reorient my pace to something that is life-giving instead of life-draining?

I think it is as simple and as hard as this: daily I must resist the tyranny of the urgent and SLOW DOWN. Daily I must choose to live in harmony with the indwelling Spirit, release all the busyness and striving, and become attentive to God’s work in and through me.

If I want to soar, I have to put my hope in the Lord to renew my strength.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the Lord

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like [hawks];

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40, italics mine

]]>https://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/2013/08/29/a-bit-loony/feed/0sarahcoveyistock_flying_common_loon[1]What Lies Beneathhttps://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/2013/08/06/what-lies-beneath/
https://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/2013/08/06/what-lies-beneath/#commentsTue, 06 Aug 2013 21:09:28 +0000http://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/?p=331Continue reading What Lies Beneath]]>So, I bought my first pair of Spanx last week to wear under my dress for my brother-in-law’s wedding. (Well, not actually Spanx another – I’m sure much lesser – brand from The Hudson’s Bay Company but you get the idea.)

I don’t think I fully understood what I was getting myself into.

I mean, these gitch are the envy of every granny-panty ever made. A single pair is about $50 – one pair of underwear, essentially – and mine are the cheap knock-offs!

However, I need them to wear under fancy dresses and the like to smooth out what I will call my “life lines”: the extra bits of me that have grown from experiences like birthing too many children and eating too many Lays Dill Pickle Chips. Yep, that’s right. I paid good money to strategically stuff pieces of me into the largest pair of undies you’ve ever seen. A pretty picture? Maybe.

Yes, I could just sport a lovely muumuu to the family wedding but if it is a choice between grandma’s outerwear and grandma’s underwear I’d rather hide this necessary evil and pretend my weight issues away. The muumuu is a dead giveaway that I have been eating like a cow. (I realize this blog is too, but so few people read it.)

So, the big day arrives. I’m prepping for my debut as a 10-pound-lighter-looking goddess in the bathroom of the Holiday Inn because I know there will be no end of photography on this occasion. I’m showered, shaved, newly coiffed, and ready to go out into the world until I try on my undergarments. And they suck.

Ladies, it is no small feat to get into these things, let me tell you. It is no spa treatment. I could pay the same cash for a lovely pedi and be much less aware of my shortcomings. Because, after squeezing my parts into the proper places with several grunts of dismay, I stood in front of the mirror and realized one simple thing.

I am NOT 10 pounds lighter.

I am merely bound by the modern equivalent of the corset and my lack of self-discipline.

Spanx are a merely a Band-Aid solution. Sure, they work wonders to conceal my flaws for a few hours but nothing has really changed. It’s all a façade.

As many of you know, I have struggled for sometime to maintain a healthy lifestyle but it is so much easier to stuff it than to actually make changes. I am weak and my resolutions fail and I continue to find myself in front of the mirror, confronting the truth.

And the fact that Spanx (and wannabe Spanx) fly off the shelves indicates to me that I may not be alone in this battle against the bulge. C’mon friends, surely I’m not the only muffin-topper out there that needs some encouragement!

How can we come together to create a prettier picture that embraces health and wellness in all its forms – including our bodies? How can we get beyond the lies we tell ourselves and really find some freedom?

Maybe if we all rally together we can help each other confront the truths about this deeply spiritual issue. Is it possible?

Is it time for a support group instead of support panties? I’d like to think so. Let me know if you are in.

]]>https://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/2013/08/06/what-lies-beneath/feed/3sarahcovey20140415-192937.jpgConfessions of a Selfish Momhttps://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/2013/04/25/confessions-of-a-selfish-mom/
https://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/2013/04/25/confessions-of-a-selfish-mom/#respondThu, 25 Apr 2013 22:15:02 +0000http://sarahcovey.wordpress.com/?p=256Continue reading Confessions of a Selfish Mom]]>“I wanna do what I wanna do.”

This is my 2-year-old’s newest chant. My heart chimes in with an amen, I hear ya, little man every time it is uttered. And I wonder if that makes me a selfish mom.

Like many moms, I know I need to look after myself but so much of my time and energy is poured out into my husband, my kids, my home, and my work that I don’t know how to juggle it all. I often struggle with the guilt associated with taking “me-time” and making decisions to meet my personal needs. I often feel that I am not fulfilling my motherly duties if I take time away from the kids so I tend to neglect myself under the guise of caring for others.

I’m convinced that there is a spectrum that lies between

selflessness ______________________&___________________selfishness

and I’m really not sure how to pin point the golden mean. In this case, Aristotle’s virtue between the two extremes is a little vague for my liking.

I know that we must take care of ourselves as moms in order to be able to take care of our families but the litany of items that “ought” to be addressed in my life under “self-care” constitute a full-time job and I already have at least one of those. How can I stay spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically healthy and have time for anyone else?

Every mom knows that the job is draining; everyone wants a piece of you but there are not enough pieces to go around. So we can’t keep running on empty and expect to carry on without deficiencies in one area or another. I know that taking time to care for myself is necessary in order to be any good to those who depend on me but trying to discern the practical parameters of my self-care is really tricky. Perhaps, I am lacking wisdom and should ask for it…so, wise ones out there in cyberspace, what say you?

Currently, I try to take one night of the week and break from my motherly duties. I try to be as consistent as possible to keep our family routine intact so that the kids can expect it. This seems reasonable enough but it is the daily disciplines that seem to be so elusive. I have trouble finding moments throughout my day to refresh. And even if I should miraculously find a spare 10 minutes, I don’t always use these precious few breaths well.

So, I guess what I am really asking is, at what point does self-care descend into selfishness? I know we invest so much of ourselves in this holy calling known as motherhood but is it okay that sometimes I just wanna do what I wanna do?